Gone Baby Gone tests a recent, but amazingly well-ingrained – by our films, what else? – theory, espoused best in Maniratnam’s Nayagan – a wrong is no wrong, if it helps the proverbial four! Casey Affleck’s Patrick Kenzie stands to lose so much in choosing a line between the right and the wrong, towards the end of the film. But he takes a stand. Ben Affleck’s directorial debut deserves a lot more than a paltry best supporting actress nomination for Amy Ryan. This is a film that respects our patience and, interestingly, our curiosity on how things will pan out. Ben’s significant reworking on the screenplay level – of Dennis Lehane’s novel, is in one word, beautiful. It weaves an abduction yarn around something much larger in a way that it makes it worth every reveal, towards the end. But the best part of the film is how it forces us to revisit the completely forgotten big picture over a more pressing, impulsive middle layer that tugs to our heartstrings and a really personal bottom layer dilemma of the implications of certain decisions. Bravo to a spirited debut, Ben! My personal Oscar for 2007’s best film goes to your debut!
Keywords: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris
PS: I’ve seen all the other obvious’es – There will be blood, No country for old men, Atonement, Michael Clayton – and the likes. So, don’t hold me against that!
